System for adapting the height of a dividing wall

ABSTRACT

A system for adapting the height of a dividing wall between a space ceiling and a space floor, in which case the dividing wall is supported at the bottom and at the top in a non-tiltable manner, has a height adaptation component between the ceiling and/or the floor and the dividing wall, which height adaptation component comprises at least two profile parts which can be telescopically extended and which can be fixed with respect to one another in different telescoping positions.

[0001] This application claims the priority of Federal Republic of Germany Patent Document No. 101 24 733.8, filed May 21, 2001, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates to a system for adapting the height of a dividing wall.

[0003] Dividing walls, for example, made of glass, are known which are used for dividing a space in a visually attractive manner, or for mutually bounding spaces in a large building. These dividing walls are normally fixed to the ceiling at least at the top because they are sufficiently heavy and will therefore no longer be movable. It is a problem that, in a building, the distance between the ceiling and the floor varies within the scope of the permissible tolerances. It is therefore difficult to align the height of the dividing walls so that the dividing walls, which are situated side-by-side, adjoin one another in an attractive manner and without high expenditures.

[0004] It is an object of the invention to construct a system for the adaptation of the height of a dividing wall, by which mutually aligned dividing walls can be quickly mounted. This object is achieved by the present invention as described hereinafter.

[0005] In an embodiment of the present invention, the height of the dividing walls is adjusted using a component that includes at least two profile parts, which can be extended in a telescope-type manner. The height of the dividing wall can be determined at the point with the lowest ceiling point and/or the highest floor point, and the larger distance between the ceiling and the floor in other mounted sections can be bridged by the telescopic displacement of the profiles. The profiles then can be locked with respect to one another. In this manner, straight, attractive upper and lower dividing wall edges can always be achieved.

[0006] A simple and cost-effective height adaptation component is obtained by a supporting part which is placed under and supports the displaceable profile part. As a result, a dividing wall can be quickly mounted in a simple manner. The supporting part is available in different height measurements, so that the dividing wall is supported at the desired height.

[0007] If the dividing wall includes two parallel panes, the height adaptation component can engage by means of an extension between the two panes, whereby the dividing wall is held in a manner which protects it very reliably against tilting.

[0008] Such a dividing wall can be constructed as a so-called all-glass wall of two transparent glass panes. The extension between the panes can then be covered on the exterior side of the glass panes by edge printing, whose width can be adapted to the engaging depth of the extension.

[0009] However, likewise the height adaptation component can also only adjoin the dividing wall by means of its profile parts if the construction measurements ensure a reliable mutual support. An extension between the panes may also have been glued between the panes as a profile before mounting in the space takes place.

[0010] The completely constructed dividing wall can then be mounted rapidly. A longitudinal rail is fastened, for example, on the ceiling. The dividing wall engages the longitudinal rail with an upper receiving device. The dividing wall, aligned in the height position, is situated in a supported manner at the lower end in a receiving device on the floor, and at least one of the receiving devices comprises such a system for adapting the height.

[0011] Laterally to the next dividing wall, the dividing walls can be connected by a bridging element which is supported by means of an extension in the vertically displaceable profile part, so that, also the bridging element, adapted to the height of the dividing walls, is situated between their lateral edges and bridges the distance. In this case, the bridging element can engage between the two panes of a dividing wall and can thereby form a connection which prevents an air draft and a sound penetration.

[0012] Also in the direction of a wall extending transversely to the dividing wall, the dividing wall can have a sealing edge end.

[0013] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] In the following, an embodiment will be explained in the drawing by means of figures.

[0015]FIGS. 1a, 1 b, 1 c, are vertically cross-sectional views of a dividing wall while the height of the ceiling and the floor varies;

[0016]FIG. 2 is a view of a dividing wall having a particularly narrow edge printing of the glass panes;

[0017]FIGS. 3a, 3 b, 3 c are cross-sectional top views of a lateral bridging element aligned with a dividing wall;

[0018]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a sealing edge end with respect to a transverse wall; and

[0019]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of another sealing edge end.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020]FIGS. 1a, 1 b and 1 c illustrate a system 1 for the adaptation of the height of a dividing wall 2 which, for dividing or bounding a space, is fixed between a space ceiling 3 and a space floor 4. For the tilt-proof supporting of the dividing wall 2 on the space ceiling 3 and on the space floor 4, an upper receiving device 5 and a lower receiving device 6 are provided. The upper receiving device 5 comprises a longitudinal rail 7 attached to the space ceiling 3. The dividing wall 3 engages the longitudinal rail 7, framing the longitudinal rail in the cross-section. The dividing wall 2 has two panes 8 which are connected in parallel at a distance and between which, a receiving profile 9 is glued in on the edge side. The receiving profile 9 with the panes 8 is vertically displaceable with respect to the longitudinal rail 7. Farther inside, a spacer 10 is glued in between the panes, which spacer 10 can, in addition, be used for receiving a drying agent.

[0021] At the bottom, a profile is also glued in the dividing wall between the panes 8, which profile forms the extension 11 of a height adaptation component 12. The height adaptation component 12 comprises two profile parts 13, 14 which can be extended or pushed together in a telescope-type manner. The extension 11 may, in addition, be connected with the profile part 13 or be molded thereto. A supporting part 15 of a height bridging the forming distance is pushed under the telescopically displaceable profile part 13 into the forming cavity. The height of the supporting part 15 preferably is selected to be variable corresponding to the difference between the space ceiling 3 and the space floor 4, so that the dividing wall 2 can be inserted at the desired distance. Such a supporting part 15 between two profile parts 13, 14 may also be provided at the top on the dividing wall. Likewise, a height adaptation component 12 with more than two telescope profiles could be used. This permits a simple and fast mounting of many dividing walls which have aligned upper and lower edges. FIG. 2 illustrates a dividing wall 2 supported in such a manner whose glass panes 8 may have an edge printing 16 of a narrow width because the extension 11 engaging between the panes 8 in this case is constructed with the smallest possible engagement. FIGS. 3a through 3 c illustrate a bridging element 17 which is situated between two dividing walls 2, 2′ situated side-by-side and adjoining one another in their dimension. In this case, the bridging element 17 is formed of a square tube 18 in which a foamed material 19 is disposed which can prevent a transmission of sound to the other side. The square tube 18 is connected by way of holding profiles 20 fixed between the panes 8 of the respective dividing wall 2, 2′ along the height of the dividing walls 2, 2′. At the lower end, an extension 25 projects away from the square tube 18, which extension 25 is received in a hollow space 21 of the profile part 13, whereby the bridging element 17 is aligned in its height with respect to the dividing pane 2, 2′. The interior foamed material 19 protrudes so far at the top that the spacing between the dividing walls 2, 2′ is filled in at the full height.

[0022]FIGS. 4 and 5 each illustrate edge end profiles 22, 22′ which are fixed between the panes 8 along the full height of the dividing wall 2, 2′ and project in the direction of a wall 23 extending transversely to the dividing wall 2, 2′, resting against the wall 23 by means of an elastic lip 24.

[0023] The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof. 

What is claimed:
 1. System for adapting the height of a dividing wall between a space ceiling and a space floor, the dividing wall being supported at the bottom and at the top in a non-tiltable manner, the system comprising: a height adaptation component between at least one of the space ceiling and the space floor and the dividing wall, which height adaptation component comprises at least two profile parts which can be telescopically extended and can be mutually fixed in different telescoping positions.
 2. System according to claim 1, wherein the fixing of the profile parts with respect to one another in the extended position takes place by means of a supporting part.
 3. System according to claim 2, wherein the supporting part can be slid into one of the profile parts and rests under or over the other profile part, holding the latter at a distance.
 4. System according to claim 1, wherein the height adaptation component engages by means of an extension between two panes of the dividing wall connected in parallel at a distance.
 5. System according to claim 4, wherein the panes are formed of a transparent glass, and the visible extension is covered on the exterior side of the pane by an edge printing, the width of the printing being variable corresponding to the engaging depth of the extension.
 6. System according to claim 4, wherein the extension, which is constructed independently of the profile parts, is fixed at the panes.
 7. System according to claim 1, wherein dividing walls, which adjoin one another in their dimension, are connected by a bridging element which is supported by means of an extension in the vertically displaceable profile part.
 8. System according to claim 7, wherein the bridging element engages in each case between the panes of the adjoining dividing walls.
 9. System according to claim 1, wherein the dividing wall has a sealing edge end profile with respect to a wall extending transversely thereto.
 10. Method of mounting a dividing wall, the method comprising: fastening a longitudinal rail at the space ceiling, on which longitudinal rail the dividing wall is supported while corresponding with an upper receiving device; the dividing wall, aligned in its height, is supported at the lower end in a receiving device at the floor, wherein at least one of the receiving devices comprises a height adaptation component.
 11. A system for adapting the height of a dividing wall between a space ceiling and a space floor, the dividing wall being supported at the bottom and at the top against tilting, the system comprising a height adaptation component disposed between the dividing wall and the space ceiling and the space floor, the height adaptation component including at least two profile parts, wherein the two profile parts are telescopically arranged and are securable at different relative positions.
 12. The system according to claim 11, further comprising a supporting part that secures the profile parts at different relative positions.
 13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the supporting part is slidable into one of the profile parts and rests against the other profile part to secure the profile parts at a relative position.
 14. The system according to claim 11, wherein the height adaptation component has an extension disposed at least partially between two parallel panes of the dividing wall.
 15. The system according to claim 14, further comprising an edge printing that covers a portion of the extension outside of the panes of the dividing wall.
 16. The system according to claim 14, wherein the extension is fixed to the panes.
 17. The system according to claim 11, further comprising a bridging element and a bridging element extension supporting the bridging element, wherein the bridging element is disposed between sections of the dividing wall and the bridging element extension extends into one of the profile parts.
 18. The system according to claim 17, wherein the bridging element extends between the panes of the adjoining sections of the dividing wall.
 19. The system according to claim 11, further comprising a sealing edge end profile disposed along an edge of the dividing wall.
 20. A method of mounting a dividing wall between a space ceiling and a space floor, the method comprising fastening a longitudinal rail to the space ceiling, wherein the longitudinal rail supports the dividing wall; and placing a height adaptation component between the dividing wall and the space ceiling and the space floor, the height adaptation component including at least two profile parts, wherein the two profile parts are telescopically arranged and are securable at different relative positions.
 21. The method according to claim 20, the method comprising sliding a supporting part into one of the profile parts, wherein the supporting part rests against the other profile part to secure the profile parts at a relative position so that the dividing wall has a uniform height. 